How to Knit a Mitered Square Scarf

Mitered squares produce an interesting fabric but are still simple enough for beginners.

In woodworking terminology, a miter is a corner made of two parts joined at a 45-degree angle. Knitted mitered squares borrow from this concept, using a simple pattern of decreases to form a square knitted on the diagonal. The use of variegated yarn highlights the unusual construction without the need for frequent yarn changes. By joining a series of these mitered squares, you can produce a scarf with an interesting pattern of textures and colors using only two types of stitches.

Things You'll Need

• 150 yards of variegated worsted weight yarn, such as Noro Silk Garden Knitting needles - size 8 Yarn needle 2 stitch markers

Instructions

1. Cast on 63 stitches. Knit the first 30 stitches. This row is the right side (RS) of the square.

2. Work a decrease: Slip the next stitch from the left needle to the right needle knitwise. Knit the next two stitches together. Use the left needle to pick up the slipped stitch and pass it over the knitted-together stitches and off of the right needle.

3. Knit to the end of the row. Knit all stitches on the next row (the wrong side of the work).

4. Knit 29 stitches. Work a decrease (see step 2). Knit to the end of the row. Knit the next row even.

5. Continue in pattern, knitting one fewer stitch before the decrease for each RS row. The last row will have just 3 stitches; work a decrease, break the yarn, and pull the yarn end through the final loop on the needle to secure.

6. Make 12 mitered squares using steps 1-5. Sew the squares together to form a scarf. Weave the loose yarn ends into the seams between squares.

References

• Oxford English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. 2009.

Resources

• “Knitting Without Tears”; Elizabeth Zimmermann; 1973